Fall is here when the Friends of the Library gather for their annual membership event on Monday, Sept. 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the home of Cyndy Bailey, The Thomas Seaton House, 509 Washington Street. Since Cyndy first opened her home to us in 2008, she has continued to make beautiful improvements to this historic house.

Light refreshments will be served.  No RSVP is necessary, and, no, you don’t have to be an FOL member to come, but we hope you will be one when you leave!

You ask, “Who are the Friends of the Library and what do they do?” We are community folks who have the common goal of supporting our library. Each fall, we host a social event, “A Gathering of Friends,” to celebrate accomplishments, encourage memberships and welcome new officers and board members. Yearly membership is affordable: individuals are $15 and contributors are $25 or more. Last year we enjoyed our largest membership ever, and we hope to add to that number this year.

What we do is help the library. The remodeled Susan Cassagne community room has hosted numerous civic and educational events, including movie nights, tax workshops, computer classes, organization meetings, as well as our twice-monthly book sales.  We have issued a special style library card for children.  Our out-dated microfilm reader is has been replaced by state-of-the-art digital technology.  (Files can be transferred directly into your thumb drive so no more having to make copies!) Other accomplishments of the past year include support of genealogy research and special library events.  FOL purchases books in honor of longtime supporters.  We donate  books from the Friends room to local nursing homes and shelters.  We have purchased furniture, computers and equipment and assisted with other improvements.

FOL raises money for the Armstrong Library through membership dues, sales of our very successful cookbook, “In the Company of Friends” and through our used book sales. Friends welcome book donation and there is a need for children’s books. Memorial contributions are greatly appreciated.

Additionally, the Friends raise money with the annual Christmas Tour of homes. This popular event features private homes not normally open for tours. Mark your calendar for Sunday, Dec. 3 for the Christmas Tour of Homes. This year’s event showcases four unique houses. The homes are home of Carol Bates (507 S. Union St.), home of Missy and Walt Brown (523 S. Union St.), the home of Wanda and Ricky Smith (501 S. Union St.) and home of Neil Varnell (205 Clifton Ave.).   All are conveniently located near downtown.

Join us for fun, friendship and fellowship. Come, bring a friend who is not a Friend, and support the good works of the FOL. The cuts in the state support of libraries and the problems in local budgets indict there is much more work needed.  The front door has not yet been satisfactorily replaced more than two years after the vandalism occurred.

See you on Monday, Sept. 25.

For further information, contact the library at 601-445-8862 or check the FOL website at www.NatchezLibraryFriends.org.
Maria Bowser is the president of the Friends of the Library.